The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-09
STILL SOUND ON THE MAIN ISSUES,

viewed in order to place himself right on the
spoils question and the tally-sheet forgeries.
He seems to have feared that not having
been heard from very recently, some might
suppose he was wavering in his opposition to
civil-service reform, or that he was in favor of
furnishing the Democratic tally-sheet forgers
recently on trial and still under indictment in
this city. The interview removes all appre-
hension on either score. He still believes
that the whole gospel of Democracy is con-
tanned in the MAXIM 'to the victors belong
the spoils," and his manly bosom swells with
indignation at the idea Of furnishing the tally
sheet forgers. 1t was hardly necessary for
Mr.. Voorhees, to speak on these points, for
there could be no doubt where he stood; yet,
perhaps it is natural he should desire to main
tain a consistent record. Having spent the
most of his adult life in trying to get office
for himself and his friends, and in defending
the frauds and rascalities of the Democratic
party, he would hardly care to change his pace
at this late day. Mr.. Voorhees, wishes it dis
tinctly understood that he regards the spois
of Office as the sole end and aim of politics.
Like Flanagan, of Texas, he says: "What
are we here for7" He knows that doctrine is
popular among Indiana Democrats, and he
puts it strong. AS an evidence of what he
and other Democratic statesmen have accom-
plished in the way of getting places, he says:
Cast your minds eye around over Indiana
and see how many Republicans you can find
in Office in this great commonwealth. There
is but one presidential postoffice in the State
which / think of at this moment where
change has not been made; and if there is
fourth class postofflce in the State not filled
by Democrat. it is because no Democrat
has been found willing to take it. / have in
my office also a list of about $50 young In
diana Democrats who have been appointed
postal clerks in the railway mail service It
is time the list ought to be longer, and [ am
laboripg every day of my life to make it SO,
but it is pretty good one as it Is"
When the Roman mother was asked to ex-
proudly said, '"These my jewels" When
the Indiana Senator wishes to demonstrate
his fitness for affairs and his triumphs in
craftsmanship, he unrolls list of fourth
class postmasters and postal clerks and says,
Behold my achievements" He says, more
over, that he is laboring every day of his life
to make the list longer. He is giving his whole
mind to the great problem of politics as he sees
it. If the Senator fails to express any views at
the next session of Congress on the
question of tariff reform, Canadian reciproc-
ity, the disposition of the surplus, or if,
expressing any views, they should be unusu
ally crude and worthless, we can set it down
to the fact that he has been wholly absorbed
in getting postmaster appointed at Hard
scrabble or having John Smith designated as
postal clerk on the Shutdown railroad.
On the question of the tally-sheet forgery
and the prosecution" of the rascals who per-
petrated the crime, Senator Voorhees, wishes
it to be understood that he is in full accord
with the ruling sentiment Of the party. After
abusing Perkins as the degenerate son Of
worthy Democratic SIRE he says:
Contrast this man With the plain, humble
born, self made men whom he tried to drag
down to destruction, and it will take mind
of average honesty and intelligence very
short time to determine that the unaided
word of such criminal and informer should
weigh nothing against those who stood up aud
denied their guilt, and proved good character
by the best men in the State. Every one of
the defendants, under the evidence as it
stood, ought to have been acquitted, and
would have been but for party prejudice in
the jury box and on the bench"
Senator Voorhees, is nothing if not dramatic,
and his experience as a criminal lawyer has
made him an adept in this line. 1t is very
effective and affecting picture he draws of
Sammy Perkins bold and bad dangerous and
desperate, trying to drag down to destruction
''an innocent and trembling victim" like Sim
Coy. 1t reminds of voracious rabbit
enveloping harmless boa constructor in its
preparatory to swallowing it. Mr.. Voorhees,
thinks every one of the defendants ought to
have been acquitted. That is precisely what
the seven Democrats the jury thought,
he made up his mind before the trial had
progressed an hour. Since the jury proved
itself so eminently of his way of thinking the
Senator must regret he was not engaged for
the defense. To have aided in the acquittal
of the Coy gang would doubtless add to his
popularity in the Democratic party. How
ever, having spoken in favor of the defendants
and declared himself anew on the spoils doc
trine, Mr.. Voorhees,, measured by Democratic
standards, is still sound on the main issues
NOTHING more horrible in the annals of
crime has occurred within many years than
the murder of the Voolfolk family in Georgia